BIOMASS AND THE RENEWABLES OBLIGATION

Early day motion 743, tabled 27 January 2010 by John Grogan (Labour). Signed by 49 members.

That this House notes that biomass and bioenergy projects have a crucial role to play in meeting the electricity component of the UK's renewable energy targets; further notes that projects requiring around £13 billion of investment are currently under development, and that project financing relies on predictable and certain income streams; further notes with concern that confusion has recently arisen over the status of current projects should support levels under the Renewables Obligation be reduced in future; shares the fears of industry bodies such as the Renewable Energy Association that UK investment in these technologies will come to a standstill unless it is resolved urgently; further notes that investors' ability to rely on Government statements of intent is critical, since protection from retrospective changes is not contained in the legislation itself; further notes that a failure to address this issue risks undermining wider renewable energy policy; and therefore calls on the Government to clarify that no biomass or bioenergy project that is completed under the current levels of financial support will have its revenue stream diminished as a consequence of any future changes to the Renewables Obligation.

Signatures by party: Labour 26, Liberal Democrat 15, Conservative 2, Independent 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Respect 1.